July Webinar Schedule: Designing Weight Management Programs

Monday Nights, Starting July 30:
ACE Personal Trainer Exam Review Course

FitBits
Exercise ETC's Monthly Research Review
July 15, 2007

Compiled by Chris Marino, MS, CSCS
Director of Education, Exercise ETC

Monday Nights, Starting July 30:
ACE Personal Trainer Exam Review Course ... Tuesday Nights: Designing Weight Management Programs ... Wednesday Nights, Starting July 25: Guest Speaker Series ... Click Here.

High Intensity Intervals
Effective in High Risk Population

It is widely accepted that High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) increases both fat loss and performance to a greater extent than Moderate Continuous Training (MCT). Unfortunately, young, healthy subjects have been used for the bulk of research while groups who may experience the greatest health or life-saving benefits have yet to be studied... until now.

Researchers from Norway compared the benefits of HIIT to MCT in a group of twenty-seven patients (median age of 75) with stable post-infarction heart failure. All participants were undergoing treatment with B-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Pre-participation left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction averaged 29% and VO2peak, just 13 ml/kg/min.

The patients were divided into three groups: 1. Moderate Continuous Training (MCT), 2. Aerobic Interval Training (AIT), and 3. Control.

Each group exercised 3 times per week, two of which were supervised for the MCT and AIT groups only. The control group met for supervised exercise once every 3 weeks. The MCT group exercised between 70% and 75% of peak heart rate (HRpeak) for a total of ~47 minutes including warm-up and cool-down. The AIT group completed four 4-minute intervals with 3-minute active rest periods at 50-60% of HRpeak. Total exercise time for AIT was just under 40 minutes including warm-up and cool-down. Total calorie expenditure was matched for all groups.

The results for the AIT group after 12-weeks of training were astounding. VO2peak increased by 46% compared to just 14% for the MCT group. Left Ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes declined by 18% and 25%, respectively in AIT, but not MCT or controls. LV ejection fraction increased 35%. Additional improvements included improved mitochondrial function and improved endothelial function. Significant improvements in quality of life measured occurred in both experimental groups.

It's important to note that the American College of Sports Medicine continues to support medically supervised exercise for patients with low ejection fraction (<50%) and for those with a maximum MET level of 4 (14 ml/kg/min). The outcome of this study will, however encourage future research on higher risk populations and may impact the recommendations for entry-level exercise program for presumably healthy and low to moderate risk exercisers in the future.

Wisloff, U., et al (2007) Superior Cardiovascular Effect of Aerobic Interval Training Versus Moderate Continuous Training in Heart Failure Patients. Circulation: 115:3086-3094

BMI in Kids Does
Not Predict BMI in Adults

Previous research has found Body Mass Index (BMI) during adolescence to be highly predictive of BMI in adulthood. Consequently, many healthcare professionals use BMI as a tool to classify individuals as overweight or obese in effort to educate and intervene. Unfortunately, BMI is not the best indicator of obesity because it does not take into consideration the difference between lean mass and fat mass; fat mass which is highly correlated with chronic diseases of the heart and metabolic systems. A recent study suggests that skinfolds, which are not only a better tool for evaluating body fat, may be a better option in predicting overweight in adulthood.

Researchers followed 350 participants over 25 years during which BMI and skinfold thickness were assessed on 8 occasions. A comparison was made between values obtained during adolescence (ages 12-16) and at a mean age of 37 for adults. Adolescent measurements indicated that no boys and just 1.7% of girls were overweight at the time. Adult measurements concluded that 29% of men and 32% of women were overweight. Comparisons at age 37 were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

In the end, the association of skinfold thickness with adult body weight was more pronounced than the relationship of BMI. Those individuals with the greatest skinfold measurement had two to four times the risk of being over-fat in adulthood.

The authors contend that assessing skinfold should be the preferred method for identifying risk for obesity amongst teenagers. The findings also imply the need for weight-management programs and interventions to begin prior to adolescence.

Nooyens, A.C.J., et al (2007) Adolescent skinfold thickness is a better predictor of high body fatness in adults than is body mass index: the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vol. 85, No. 6, 1533-1539

Vastus Medialis Has
Greater Role Than Once Thought

Degeneration, injury and pain are all consequences of instability at the knee joint. A weak VMO or Vastus Medialis Oblique, which has been thought to act both as a stabilizer of the patella and as a knee extensor, is often the culprit in cases of knee pain or injury. Unfortunately, studies have not unanimously agreed on the exact function of the VMO and as a result therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat injuries may be insufficient. The discrepancies lie with the methodology of most research on the VMO, which has been performed during non-weight bearing or non-functional activities. To better understand VMO function, researchers evaluated its relative contribution during weight-bearing activities.

Ten participants completed both bilateral and unilateral drop jumps (DJ) and squat jumps (SJ) on a force platform while electrical activity in the Vastus Lateralis (VL) and VMO region of the Quadriceps Femoris was measured.

The most significant finding of this study was that the relative contribution of the VMO during single leg jumps was significantly greater than the VL. The authors simultaneously conducted 6 cadaver dissections during which they identified a distinct nerve supply to the VMO. This contrasts previous findings and suggests that the VMO can act independently of the quadriceps group.

The researchers concluded that the VMO is indeed an important stabilizer of the patella in the trochlear groove. As such, this muscle can be trained most effectively using single leg closed-chain strength exercises and plyometrics to increase functional activation of the VMO.

Toumi, H., et al (2007) New Insights into the Function of the Vastus Medialis with Clinical Implications. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 39(7): 1153-1159.


New Link between
Vitamin D & Function in Older Adults

Vitamin D has several important functions in the body including regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, supporting formation of new bone, and helping suppress tumor formation. Although Vitamin D deficiency is relatively uncommon in young, healthy populations who spend a sufficient amount of time in the sun, it is found in elderly populations with increasing frequency. In elderly populations Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to result in bone loss, fractures, and muscle weakness. Now researchers in the Netherlands are suggesting that decreased performance/function be included on that list.

Researchers monitored Vitamin D levels in nearly 1,000 elderly individual’s age 65+ over a 3-year period during which performance variables were also tracked (i.e. walking test, chair sit-to-stands, and tandem stand). Approximately one-half of the participants were determined to be Vitamin D deficient at the start of the study. The researchers found that performance was poorer in participants with sub-optimal Vitamin D levels and that those same individuals exhibited greater declines in performance over the 3-year period.

The researchers are encouraging more awareness of the potential for insufficient Vitamin D in elderly persons.

Wicherts, I.S., et al (2007) Vitamin D Status Predicts Physical Performance and Its Decline in Older Persons. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 92(6): 2058-2065.


Certification Spotlight: WITS
World Instructor Training School

W.I.T.S has been the #1 certification choice of colleges and universities for over 15 years. All of their 6-week courses and workshops have been awarded college credits (www.acenet.edu) for degrees in Physical Education and Exercise Science; they are also approved for international CEC’s through IACET (www.iacet.org). W.I.T.S provides training programs, instructional materials, workshops, and seminars designed to enhance and expand the skill set and knowledge of fitness professionals and to prepare them for their roles as fitness leaders and practitioners in the fitness industry. W.I.T.S is an affiliate of the National Board of Fitness Examiners; GI Bill approved and has IDEA PFT Recognition as well. Contact them at www.witseducation.com or call toll free at 888-330-9487

Join us for a Webinar!

Exercise ETC is pleased to be able to offer the latest in on-line education. Now, via our brand new "Webinars," you are able to attend on-line education programs from the privacy of your home or office. If you have a computer with a wired, high-speed Internet connection you have all the equipment you need to join our webinar!

What’s a "Webinar?"

A Webinar is a continuing education course that is conducted via our "Virtual Classroom" series. It is conducted in real time and is fully interactive, allowing you to communicate directly with your presenter... instantly! And at only $19.99 per session you won’t find a more cost effective CE program. If you have a computer with a high-speed connection, you have all the equipment you need to join the session! Each on-line program is approved for 0.2 CECs through ACE, CSCS, NSCA and NASM and/or 2.0 CEUs through AFAA, BOC, ISSA, WITS, NCSF and most other certifications. Please note that class sizes are limited, so register early!

For specific information on CE awards, please click on: http://www.exerciseetc.com/cec.html

Tuesday Nights:
Designing Weight Management Programs

Dr Ginger Patterson returns with her best selling series on "Designing Weight Management Programs." This 8-week course is held on Tuesdays, from 7 – 9 PM, EST (4 – 6 PM PST). In separate modules, you'll learn how to analyze popular diets, calculate metabolic rates, and help to motivate your client to make behavioral change and much more. Take as many or as few modules as you would like, for only $19.99 per session and earn 0.2 / 2.0 CEs for each module. For details, visit:
http://www.exerciseetc.com/virtual.html#wtmgmt

For specific information on CE awards, please click on: http://www.exerciseetc.com/cec.html

Wednesday Nights, Starting July 25: Guest Speaker Series

Our popular guest speaker series continues on Wednesday nights , starting again on July 25 from 7 – 9 PM, EST. (4 – 6 PM PST). Take only the sessions you like and earn 0.2 / 2.0 CEs for each module. The next courses include:

July 25, 2007
Advanced Strength Training Techniques
John Kordich, M Ed, CSCS, *D

August 2, 2007
Designing Golf & Tennis Programs
Jeff Godin, Ph D, CSCS, HFPD

Wednesday, August 8
Exercise & Chronic Disease
Lisa Garrity, MA, CSCS

Wednesday, August 15
Exercise & the Knee
Chris Marino, MS, CSCS

Wednesday, August 22
Please Pass the Sugar
Scott Josephson, MS, RD

For details, visit:
http://www.exerciseetc.com/virtual.html#special

For specific information on CE awards, please click on: http://www.exerciseetc.com/cec.html

Monday Nights, Starting July 30:
ACE Personal Trainer
Exam Review Course

Let fitness expert Trish Muse expertly prepare you for your American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer exam! This 8-week series meets on Monday nights from 7 – 9 PM EST (4-6 PM PST) starting on July 30. (There will be no class on Labor Day, September 3.) You’ll learn about exercise science, nutrition and weight control, proper lifting technique, exercise program design and much more. What’s better, we offer you our "free retake" guarantee if you do not pass the ACE exam after you complete this 8-week course. Each module is only $19.99, and class size is limited; for more details and class descriptions, please visit:
http://www.exerciseetc.com/pt_sched.html#online

 

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